System for making custom prototypes

ABSTRACT

A system for making custom prototypes including devices for making the prototype, logic, software, firmware, hardware, circuitry or other components and responsive to user input.

This application claims benefit of several co-pending United Statesapplications under 35 USC §120 as described in the instant application,including U.S. application Ser. No. 10/884,760, titled A System forMaking Custom Prototypes filed on Jul. 2, 2004.

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present application relates, in general, to making or customizingprototypes.

SUMMARY

In one aspect, a system includes but is not limited to: a devicefabricator responsive to input data to make a prototype; one or moreimage capture devices alignable to said device fabricator; a databaseincluding data representing one or more forms in communication with saiddevice fabricator; and a positioning device coupled to said one or moreimage capture devices and responsive to user commands to move said oneor more image capture devices to capture user selected views of saidprototype. In addition to the foregoing, other system aspects aredescribed in the claims, drawings, and text forming a part of thepresent application.

In one aspect, a method includes but is not limited to: providing adevice operable for forming an arrangement of one or more parts;providing one or more image capture device for providing at least onerepresentation of said arrangement of one or more parts; providing apositioning system operative to align one or more image capture devicesto said arrangement of one or more parts; providing a user access tosaid at least one representation; and providing said user access to adatabase comprising forms for placing in proximity to said arrangementof parts. In addition to the foregoing, other method aspects aredescribed in the claims, drawings, and text forming a part of thepresent application.

In another aspect, a method includes but is not limited to: making anarrangement of one or more pieces; positioning one or more objectsoperable for providing at least one representation of said arrangementof one or more pieces; capturing said at least one representations ofsaid arrangement of one or more pieces; and placing one or more formsfrom a database comprising forms in proximity to said arrangement of oneor more pieces. In addition to the foregoing, other method aspects aredescribed in the claims, drawings, and text forming a part of thepresent application.

In another aspect, a system includes but is not limited to: a patternforming tool generating an archetype; a device for capturing at leastone representation of said archetype said device communicable with saidpattern forming tool; a user interface in connection with said patternforming tool and with said device for capturing at least onerepresentation of said archetype and displaying said view of saidarchetype; a storage medium operably linked to said user interfaceavailable for arranging an object from said storage medium in proximityto said archetype; and a software, a logic, or a processing unit incommunication with said user interface operable for influencing saidpattern comprising a plurality of members and said device for capturingat least one representation.

In one or more various aspects, related systems include but are notlimited to circuitry and/or programming for effecting theherein-referenced method aspects; the circuitry and/or programming canbe virtually any combination of hardware, software, and/or firmwareconfigured to effect the herein-referenced method aspects depending uponthe design choices of the system designer.

In addition to the foregoing, various other method and or system aspectsare set forth and described in the text (e.g., claims and/or detaileddescription) and/or drawings of the present application.

The foregoing is a summary and thus contains, by necessity;simplifications, generalizations and omissions of detail; consequently,those skilled in the art will appreciate that the summary isillustrative only and is NOT intended to be in any way limiting. Otheraspects, inventive features, and advantages of the devices and/orprocesses described herein, as defined solely by the claims, will becomeapparent in the non-limiting detailed description set forth herein.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES

FIG. 1 depicts a logic flow chart of a process for making customprototypes and/or operating a system for making custom prototypes.

FIG. 2 is a plan view of one aspect of the system for making the customprototypes 200.

FIG. 3 is a plan view of another aspect of the system for making customprototypes 200.

FIG. 4 is a plan view of another aspect of the system making customprototypes 200.

FIG. 5 is a plan view of another aspect of the system for making customprototypes 200.

FIG. 6 is a plan view of another aspect of the system for making customprototypes 200.

The use of the same symbols in different drawings typically indicatessimilar or identical items.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

The present application uses formal outline headings for clarity ofpresentation. However, it is to be understood that the outline headingsare for presentation purposes, and that different types of subjectmatter may be discussed throughout the application (e.g.,device(s)/structure(s) may be described under the process(es)/operationsheading(s) and/or process(es)/operations may be discussed understructure(s)/process(es) headings). Hence, the use of the formal outlineheadings is not intended to be in any way limiting.

1. A System for Making Custom Prototype(s) and/or Process(es).

With reference now to FIG. 1, shown is a logic flow chart illustrativeof various exemplary methods of making a custom prototype(s) and/ordesigning process(es). Accordingly, the present application firstdescribes an exemplary method of FIG. 1; thereafter, the presentapplication illustrates certain exemplary structures. Those having skillin the art will appreciate that the specific devices and processesdescribed herein are intended as merely illustrative of their moregeneral counterparts.

A. Operation(s) and/or Process(es)

With reference to the figures, and with reference now to FIG. 1 and withreference to FIG. 2, shown is a logic flowchart for operating a systemfor making custom prototypes 200. The logic flowchart provides anoverall or “a big picture”. Those having skill in the art willappreciate that the style of presentation utilized herein (e.g.,beginning with a presentation of a flowchart presenting an overall viewand thereafter providing the structure and/or devices generally allowsfor a rapid and efficient understanding of the various processinstances).

Continuing to refer to FIG. 1, method step 100 depicts the start of theprocess. Method step 102 depicts the forming/making of a prototype. Inone implementation, the prototype is a virtual prototype. In anotherimplementation, the prototype is a non virtual prototype. In yet anotherimplementation, the prototype is a combination of virtual andnon-virtual components.

Continuing to refer to FIG. 1, method step 104 depicts placing of atleast one imaging device in the prototype. The imaging device includes,and is not limited to, for example, an image capture device, such as, anoptical capture device, a digital camera, or a video camera. The one ormore imaging devices may be connected to the system for making customprototypes 200 either individually, as a group, or in smallersub-groups. In both implementations, the imaging devices can beindependently operable or maneuvered.

Continuing to refer to FIG. 1, method step 106 depicts positioning oraligning the at least one imaging device in proximity to the prototype.In one implementation, this method step may be invoked to obtain aperspective view of the prototype. In another implementation, thismethod step may be invoked to locate or zoom in, for example, todiscover a feature, a detail, or an item in proximity to the prototype.In another aspect positioning or aligning may allow the at least oneimaging device to view information about surrounding features orobjects, in addition to the prototype.

Continuing to refer to FIG. 1, method step 108 depicts capturing atleast one image of the prototype by the at least one imaging device. Inone implementation, the captured image may be stored for futuremanipulation. In another implementation, the captured image may be usedto locate or provide a reference. Note that the use of the capturedimage refers generally to the prototype, but, is not necessarily limitedto the prototype alone.

Continuing to refer to FIG. 1, method step 110 depicts the selection ofone or more forms from a database comprising forms and adding theselected forms in proximity to the prototype making a user formedprototype. In one implementation, upon receiving the captured image, auser selects one or more forms from the database comprising forms forplacement in proximity to the prototype. In another implementation, theuser may select one or more forms from the database comprising forms tobe placed in proximity to the prototype before method step 106. In thisimplementation, subsequent to the placement of one or more forms inproximity to the prototype the user may position or align the at leastone imaging device.

Continuing to refer to FIG. 1, in one implementation, method step 110includes a substep of making at least one of a user specified form bycustomizing the one or more forms or creating a new form according touser specifications. Customizing of the one or more forms, includes, andis not limited to, for example, creating new forms, changing the shape,dimension, color, texture, size or another feature of the one or moreforms. In one example, the user may change the dimensions of a form, forexample, a furniture item, to fit within the prototype, for example,where the prototype is of a house with a plurality of chambers. Theforms include, and are not limited to, for example, items of furniture,art, decorations, books, apparel, foliage, or items specific to theprototype. For example, where the prototype is of a restaurant, theforms, include, and are not limited to, items present in a kitchen,items present in a bar, lights and other lighting accessories, or indoorornaments, such as, restaurant logos and signs, an indoor fountain orother items.

Continuing to refer to FIG. 1, method step 112 includes positioning theone or more forms from the database comprising forms or the userspecified form in proximity to the prototype. The positioning includes,and is not limited to, for example, aligning, moving, replacing,resizing the form to fit a criterion, or reshaping the form to fit acriterion.

Continuing to refer to FIG. 1, upon placing or positioning a userspecified form or one or more forms from a database in proximity to theprototype, a user may capture an image with the imaging device asdepicted in method step 108. The image of the formed prototype may bestored or displayed as depicted in method step 114. In oneimplementation the image captured may be stored for future manipulation.In another implementation the user may select additional forms from thedatabase comprising forms, create new forms, reposition, resize, orreshape the forms. In another implementation the user may manipulate theprototype, for example, by specifying new dimensions, shape, color, ortexture. It will be appreciated by those having skill in the art thatthe method for making custom prototypes includes, for example, and isnot limited to, incorporating a plurality of characteristics consistentwith manipulating, creating, changing, operating, moving, influencing,generating, or obtaining the forms and/or the prototype. It will also beappreciated by those skilled in the art that the changes to thecharacteristics of the forms or the prototype may be applieduniversally, individually, or in subsets by the user. In oneimplementation, changes within the subset may be applied by, forexample, directing changes within a specified area or radius, directingchanges to forms with a specified feature, or the like.

Described herein is an exemplary method for making custom prototypes.The user may choose to deviate from the logic flowchart of FIG. 1, forexample, by skipping a method step or a substep, changing the order ofthe step or the substep, by adding a step or a substep, or by performinga step or substep simultaneously. It will be appreciated by thoseskilled in the art that a number of such permutations is likely andwithin the scope of the invention.

B. Structure(s) and or Device(s)

With reference now to FIG. 2, depicted is an aspect of the system formaking custom prototypes 200 showing a user interface 201 incommunication with a device for making a virtual prototype 214 and adevice for making a non-virtual prototype 216. It will be appreciated bythose skilled in the art that the type of device for making a nonvirtual prototype 216 is not critical to the invention and includes, forexample, at least one device that forms a non-virtual prototype 206comprising non-virtual components with a physical body of, such as, forexample, ceramic, glass, polymer, plastic, wood, paper, laminate, metal,or composite. Similarly the device for making a virtual prototype 216may comprise a computer and associated devices for generating orprojecting a virtual prototype, a 3-D or 2-D projector, or a holographicprojector. In one aspect the associated devices may include aholographic projector including a laser, hologram and related optics.

In one aspect the non-virtual prototype 206 is formed in part manuallyby the user. User input to make the prototype 206 is provided at theuser interface 201, which communicates with the device for making thevirtual prototype 214 and the device for making a non-virtual prototype216, by communication lines 202 and 210, respectively, and the devices214, 216 in turn communicate with the prototype 206 by communicationlines 208 and 220, respectively. A communication line 224 provides alink between the device for making the virtual prototype 214 and thedevice for making a non-virtual prototype 216. Additionally, the userinterface 201 maintains communication with the prototype 206 by acommunication line 204. The communication lines 202, 210, 909, 220, 224,and 204 may be established physically or remotely, for example,wirelessly or non-wirelessly.

Continuing to refer to FIG. 2, in one aspect of the invention, userinput is provided primarily at the user interface 201. In anotherapproach of the invention, user input is provided at the user interface201, the device for making a virtual prototype 214, and the device formaking a non-virtual prototype 216. In yet another approach of theinvention, user input is provided at the user interface 201, the devicefor making a virtual prototype 214, the device for making a non-virtualprototype 216, and at the prototype 206. In yet another approach of theinvention, user input is provided at the user interface 201, and at theprototype 206. In this aspect, user input provided at the prototype 206includes, and is not limited to, for example, moving or aligning one ormore image capture devices 212, adjusting or positioning the one or moreforms or the prototype 206.

Continuing to refer to FIG. 2, the one or more image capture devices 212allows/promotes visualization of the prototype 206 and includes, but isnot limited to, for example, an analog camera, a digital camera, ananalog video camera, or a digital video camera. Operation of the one ormore image capture devices 212 may be either remotely or manually.Manual operation of the image capture devices 212 includes, for example,user manipulation or manipulation by an individual responsive to userinstructions whereas remote operation includes, for example,manipulation of the one or more image capture devices 212, wirelessly ornon-wirelessly. Additionally, the image capture devices 212 may bemanipulated at the user interface 201, or at other locations, such as,for example, at the device for making a virtual prototype 214, thedevice for making a non-virtual prototype 216 or at the prototype 206.

Continuing to refer to FIG. 2, the prototype 206 may include bothvirtual and non-virtual components. In one aspect of the invention, theprototype 206 includes a structure, or a structure at least partiallyenclosing at least one space, for example, a building construction, aninterior of a room, a vehicle, a product body, or an animal body. Inanother aspect of the invention, the prototype 206 includes a pluralityof parts, for example, a city, a landscape, an area, or a product body.

With reference now to FIG. 3, depicted is an aspect of the system formaking custom prototypes 200 showing the user interface 201 incommunication with the device for making the virtual prototype 214. Inthis aspect of the invention, the prototype 206 is of a vehicle whichincludes virtual components. For example, the prototype 206 is notnecessarily limited to a single object. For example, the prototype 206may also include the surrounding environment of the prototype 206, forexample, a structure which houses the vehicle, or the like. Examples ofthe prototype 206 includes, but are not limited to, for example, astructure, an object, or a chamber. In this aspect of the invention, theone or more forms included in the database comprising forms are also ofa virtual type. Examples of the one or more forms includes, and is notlimited to, for example, a selection of plants, trees, furniture,household items, office items, items specific to the prototype 206, oritems not specific to the prototype 206. In one approach the one or moreforms are tagged for indexing, locating, moving, selecting, orpositioning. In another approach, manipulation, positioning, or changingthe one or more forms creates a differently tagged form.

With reference now to FIG. 4, depicted is an aspect of the system formaking custom prototypes 200 showing the user interface 201 incommunication with the device for making the non-virtual prototype 216.Examples of the prototype 206 include, but are not limited to, astructure, an object, or a chamber. In this aspect, the one or moreforms included in the database comprising forms are also of anon-virtual type. Examples of the one or more forms includes, and is notlimited to, for example, a selection of plants, trees, furniture,household items, office items, items specific to the prototype 206, oritems not specific to the prototype 206. In one approach the one or moreforms are tagged for the one or more forms are tagged for indexing,locating, moving, selecting, or positioning. Examples of the tagincludes, but are not limited to, RFID tags, optically readable indiciaor other interrogatable or viewable tags. The tags may uniquely identifythe one or more forms, or may identify classes, types, orcharacteristics of the one or more forms. In another approach,manipulation, positioning, or changing the one or more forms produces adifferent tag or a modified tag, such as, for example, a different ormodified RFID tag.

Forms may be manipulated by varying mechanisms. For example, a motor oran actuator may be coupled to one or more forms to permit theirmanipulation. Additionally, a magnetic piece may be coupled to orembedded in the one or more forms and a magnetic manipulator used tomanipulate the one or more forms. The system for making the customprototype 200 permits the manipulation, positioning, or changing the oneor more forms, or the prototype 206 wirelessly, for example, by anantenna, or non-wirelessly.

Referring now to FIG. 5, depicted is an aspect of the system for makingcustom prototypes 200 showing the user interface 201 in communicationwith the device for making the non-virtual prototype 216. The prototype206 depicts a chamber wherein the choice of objects 240 are dependant onthe specific prototype. For example, where the prototype 206 depicts anevent venue, the choice of objects 240 includes, and is not limited to,for example, seats, lights, tables, art work, staging, decorations, orthe like. In this example, the image capture devices 212 are mounted asan array and camouflaged as part of the lighting system.

With reference now to FIG. 6, depicted is an aspect of the system formaking custom prototypes 200 showing the user interface 201 incommunication with the device for making the virtual prototype 214. Theprototype 206 depicts a chamber wherein the choice of objects 240 aredependant on the specific prototype. For example, where the prototype206 depicts an event venue, the choice of objects 240 includes, and isnot limited to, for example, seats, lights, tables, art work, staging,decorations or the like.

It will be appreciated by those skilled in the art that the system formaking custom prototypes 200 may include all the components, hardware,software, firmware, circuitry, and logic for performing the steps andsubsteps disclosed herein. For example, the system for making customprototypes 200, includes a work station with the user interface 201. Inthis example, the work station includes a processor, coupled to amemory, and a storage medium of suitable size. A software programproviding instructions may be stored in the memory to control thedevices in communication or to store the information obtained.Additionally, the work station or the user interface 201 may be coupledto additional components for system integrated digital data gathering,processing, storage, compression and transmission. Data may becompressed and stored in the storage medium or transferred to a computerreadable or recordable format. Examples of such computer readable orrecordable format includes, and is not limited to, floppy disks, harddisk drives, CD ROMs, digital tape, computer memory digital or analogcommunication links using TDM or IP based communication links (e.g.,packet links).

C. Variation(s), and/or Implementation(s)

Those having skill in the art will recognize that the presentapplication teaches modifications of the system, devices, structures,and/or processes within the spirit of the teaching herein. For example,the system for making custom prototypes 200 need not be limited to astatic prototype. In one example, the prototype 206 includes a dynamicprototype or a real-time prototype wherein the prototype 206 changesresponsive to predefined user or environmental cues or rules. Forexample, the user may specify a rule or a condition, which may betracked, for example, by a sensor. In such an example, the prototype 206provides a model, wherein one or more responses are tracked within theprototype when the rule or condition is met. It will be appreciated bythose skilled in the art that the components, circuitry, software,hardware, firmware, or logic for making such a prototype 206 is withinthe spirit of the invention. Example of such a dynamic prototype,includes, for example, forming a prototype of a plurality of structuresscattered in an area. The area may be subject to an environmentalcondition or event, such as, for example, flooding, or earthquakes. Insuch an example, the release of the environmental condition may betracked by sensors, an alerting system may notify the user of the event,and subsequent to the occurrence of the event the user may respond bystrengthening or changing the structures and studying the response ofthe prototype 206. Other modifications of the subject matter herein willbe appreciated by one of skill in the art in light of the teachingsherein.

It will be appreciated by those skilled in the art that the presentapplication teaches a system and a method for making the customprototype 206 is not limited to a new or user formed prototype. Thecustom prototype 206 may include, for example, and is not be limited toa commercial prototypes, generic prototypes, or patented prototypes. Thecustom prototype 206 may be made by commercial or patented techniques ormethods known in the art. Examples of such prototypes, techniques, ormethods are disclosed and incorporated herein by reference; U.S. Pat.Nos. 6,623,687, 5,684,713, 5,109,589, and 4,929,402, and US patentapplication numbers US 20020186216A1, and 20030218607A1. Othermodifications of the subject matter herein will be appreciated by one ofskill in the art in light of the teachings herein.

It will also be appreciated by those skilled in the art that thevisualization of the custom prototype 206 can be in real-time continuousmode or in a real-time freeze capture mode. Furthermore, in oneexemplary aspect of the invention, the user may choose to operate theimage capture device 212 manually. For example, the user may choose tohold, position, reposition, or direct the image capture device 212.Other modifications of the subject matter herein will be appreciated byone of skill in the art in light of the teachings herein.

The foregoing described aspects depict different components containedwithin, or connected with, different other components. It is to beunderstood that such depicted architectures are merely exemplary, andthat in fact many other architectures can be implemented which achievethe same functionality. In a conceptual sense, any arrangement ofcomponents to achieve the same functionality is effectively “associated”such that the desired functionality is achieved. Hence, any twocomponents herein combined to achieve a particular functionality can beseen as “associated with” each other such that the desired functionalityis achieved, irrespective of architectures or intermedial components.Likewise, any two components so associated can also be viewed as being“operably connected”, or “operably coupled”, to each other to achievethe desired functionality.

While particular aspects of the present subject matter described hereinhave been shown and described, it will be obvious to those skilled inthe art that, based upon the teachings herein, changes and modificationsmay be made without departing from this subject matter described hereinand its broader aspects and, therefore, the appended claims are toencompass within their scope all such changes and modifications as arewithin the true spirit and scope of this subject matter describedherein. Furthermore, it is to be understood that the invention isdefined solely by the appended claims. It will be understood by thosewithin the art that, in general, terms used herein, and especially inthe appended claims (e.g., bodies of the appended claims) are generallyintended as “open” terms (e.g., the term “including” should beinterpreted as “including but not limited to,” the term “having” shouldbe interpreted as “having at least,” the term “includes” should beinterpreted as “includes but is not limited to,” etc.). It will befurther understood by those within the art that if a specific number ofan introduced claim recitation is intended, such an intent will beexplicitly recited in the claim, and in the absence of such recitationno such intent is present. For example, as an aid to understanding, thefollowing appended claims may contain usage of the introductory phrases“at least one” and “one or more” to introduce claim recitations.However, the use of such phrases should not be construed to imply thatthe introduction of a claim recitation by the indefinite articles “a” or“an” limits any particular claim containing such introduced claimrecitation to inventions containing only one such recitation, even whenthe same claim includes the introductory phrases “one or more” or “atleast one” and indefinite articles such as “a” or “an” (e.g., “a” and/or“an” should typically be interpreted to mean “at least one” or “one ormore”); the same holds true for the use of definite articles used tointroduce claim recitations. In addition, even if a specific number ofan introduced claim recitation is explicitly recited, those skilled inthe art will recognize that such recitation should typically beinterpreted to mean at least the recited number (erg., the barerecitation of “two recitations,” without other modifiers, typicallymeans at least two recitations, or two or more recitations), etc.

1. A method of providing an interactive representation for user,comprising: providing, in an artificial environment, one or morephysical objects visually representative of a first set of designchoices; accepting user selection of one or more virtual objectsvisually representative of a second set of design choices; responsive tothe user selection of one or more virtual objects visuallyrepresentative of a second set of design choices, fabricating by rapidprototyping one or more physical objects visually representative of thesecond set of design choices; positioning the fabricated one or morephysical objects visually representative of the second set of designchoices in the artificial environment; after positioning the fabricatedone or more physical objects visually representative of the second setof design choices in the artificial environment, capturing one or moreimages of the artificial environment from a first position relative tothe artificial environment; accepting user view positioning input with acontrol system; and responsive to accepting user view positioning inputwith the control system, capturing one or more images of the artificialenvironment from a second position relative to the artificialenvironment different from the first position.
 2. The method of claim 1wherein fabricating by rapid prototyping one or more physical objectsvisually representative of the first set of design choices includes:retrieving data representing the one or more additional physical objectsvisually representative of the first set of design choices; and rapidprototyping the one or more physical objects according to the retrieveddata representing the one or more physical objects visuallyrepresentative of the first set of design choices.
 3. The method ofclaim 1 further including: accepting user customization input; andresponsive to accepting user customization input, fabricating by rapidprototyping one or more additional physical objects visuallyrepresentative of the second set of design choices such that the one ormore additional physical objects visually representative of the secondset of design choices differ from the one or more physical objectsvisually representative of the second set of design choices according tothe user customization input.
 4. The method of claim 3 furtherincluding: replacing the fabricated one or more physical objectsvisually representative of the second set of design choices with thefabricated one or more additional physical objects visuallyrepresentative of the second set of design choices.
 5. The method ofclaim 1 further including: accepting user object positioning input; andwherein presenting to the user a virtual representation of the selectedone or more virtual objects visually representative of the second set ofdesign choices includes: presenting to the user a virtual representationof the selected one or more virtual objects visually representative ofthe second set of design choices in visual locations corresponding tothe user object positioning input.
 6. The method of claim 3 whereinfabricating by rapid prototyping one or more additional physical objectsvisually representative of the second set of design choices includes:retrieving data representing the one or more additional physical objectsvisually representative of the second set of design choices; and rapidprototyping one or more additional physical objects according to theretrieved data representing the one or more additional physical objectsvisually representative of the second set of design choices.
 7. Themethod of claim 1 wherein capturing one or more images of the artificialenvironment from a second position relative to the artificialenvironment different from the first position includes moving an imagecapture device from a first location corresponding to the first positionto a second location corresponding to the second position.
 8. The methodof claim 7 wherein the image capture device is a camera.
 9. The methodof claim 8 wherein the camera is a video camera.
 10. The method of claim9 wherein the first set of design choices correspond to a first set ofinterior design items and a second set of design choices correspond to asecond set of interior design items.
 11. The method of claim 10 whereinthe first set of interior design items include at least one of the itemsin a set including: furniture, art, decorations, books, apparel,foliage, and lights.
 12. A method of providing an interactiverepresentation for user, comprising: providing in an artificialenvironment including one or more physical objects visuallyrepresentative of a first set of design choices; accepting userselection of one or more virtual objects visually representative of asecond set of design choices; responsive to the user selection of one ormore virtual objects visually representative of a second set of designchoices, fabricating by rapid prototyping one or more physical objectsvisually representative of the second set of design choices; positioningthe fabricated one or more physical objects visually representative ofthe second set of design choices in the artificial environment; afterpositioning the fabricated one or more physical objects visuallyrepresentative of the second set of design choices in the artificialenvironment, capturing one or more images of the artificial environmentfrom a first position relative to the artificial environment; acceptinguser view positioning input with a control system; and responsive toaccepting user view positioning input with the control system, capturingone or more images of the artificial environment from a second positionrelative to the artificial environment different from the firstposition.
 13. The method of claim 12 further including: responsive toaccepting user selection of one or more virtual objects visuallyrepresentative of a second set of design choices, presenting to the usera virtual representation of the selected one or more virtual objectsvisually representative of the second set of design choices.
 14. Themethod of claim 13 further including: accepting user object positioninginput; and wherein presenting to the user a virtual representation ofthe selected one or more virtual objects visually representative of thesecond set of design choices includes: presenting to the user a virtualrepresentation of the selected one or more virtual objects visuallyrepresentative of the second set of design choices in visual locationscorresponding to the user object positioning input.
 15. The method ofclaim 14 further including: accepting user customization input; andresponsive to accepting user customization input, customizing one ormore of the virtual representations of the selected one or more virtualobjects visually representative of the second set of design choices. 16.The method of claim 15 wherein responsive to accepting usercustomization input, customizing one or more of the virtualrepresentations of the selected one or more virtual objects visuallyrepresentative of the second set of design choices includes: beforefabricating by rapid prototyping one or more physical objects visuallyrepresentative of the second set of design choices, customizing one ormore of the virtual representations of the selected one or more virtualobjects visually representative of the second set of design choices. 17.The method of claim 12 wherein fabricating by rapid prototyping one ormore additional physical objects visually representative of the firstset of design choices includes: retrieving data representing the one ormore additional physical objects visually representative of the firstset of design choices; and rapid prototyping one or more additionalphysical objects according to the retrieved data representing the one ormore additional physical objects visually representative of the firstset of design choices.
 18. The method of claim 12 further including:presenting to a user a visual representation menu; and wherein acceptinguser selection of one or more virtual objects visually representative ofa second set of design choices includes accepting a selection from thevisual representation menu.